K-Supermarket in Espoo refunds parking fees to lure shoppers after Citycon trims free parking time

Citycon shortened the complimentary parking period at its Espoo Lippulaiva centre and other sites to one hour, charging €2 for each extra hour. Juuso Österman, who runs the K-Supermarket there, said the change has reduced foot traffic and cut sales, estimating a roughly ten-percent decline in customers and a monthly revenue loss exceeding €100,000. In response, the store will begin reimbursing the price of a second parking hour - €2 - to shoppers who spend more than €50, applying the discount at checkout while still requiring payment for the first hour. Österman noted similar customer losses at other Lippulaiva outlets, especially cafés, and warned that further tenant departures could affect the whole mall. He expects the refund scheme to encourage drivers to return before the crucial Christmas shopping period.